Pondicherry University

The entire academic structure was reorganized during the tenure of Prof J. A. K. Tareen, who not only established over 20 new departments but also established new schools with over 80 new programs. The university has 14 schools and 52 departments distributed across Pondicherry and Karaikal campus. Each school is headed by a dean, and each department has its own faculty and supporting staff working under the head of the department. They are also provided with separate buildings which house their laboratories and libraries. The following is the list of the schools, departments and centres:

• Tamil Language & Literature

School of Management

• Department of Management Studies
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Economics
• Department of Tourism Studies
• Department of Banking Technology
• Department of International Business

Karaikal Campus

• Department of Management
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Computer Science

Ramanujan School of Mathematical Sciences

• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Statistics

• Computer Science
• Electronics Engineering
• Centre for Pollution Control & Environmental Engineering
• Coastal Engineering
• Geological Technology

Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering

Department of Physics

Department of Chemistry

• Department of Physics
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Earth Sciences
• Department of Applied Psychology

Department of Earth Science

Department of Biotechnology

• Department of Bioinformatics
• Department of Biotechnology
• Department of Ecology & Environmental Sciences
• Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology (Port Blair)
• Department of Food Science & Technology
• Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Department of Microbiology

Humanities Block-2

• English and comparative literature
• French
• Hindi
• Sanskrit
• Philosophy
• Physical Education & Sports

Humanities Block-1

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• History
• Politics and International Studies
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Centre for Women's Studies
• Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation - Centre for South Asian Studies*
• Centre for Study of Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy*

These centres were established during XII plan when Prof J A K Tareen was vice chancellor.

• School of Education
• Centre for Adult and Continuing Education

• Library & Information Science
• Department of Electronic Media and Mass Communication

• Centre for Nano Science & Technology
• Department of Green Energy Technology

The Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) was established in the university as the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) in 1992 under the UGC Plan Scheme. It housed three facilities – Mechanical Shop, Glass blowing Shop and Electrical Shop, to provide support in the repair and servicing of scientific equipment. Fabrication of components for experimental setups is undertaken.

The USIC has executed design, development and fabrication works ranging from custom designed sample holders/cells to electronic instrumentation and control modules.

In 2005, the centre was reorganised into Central Instrumentation Facility under the School of Physical, Chemical and Applied Sciences and analytical instruments are added to provide analytical service, in addition to the workshop facilities.

Teaching and research are its primary functions as in other Central Universities. It has 200 affiliated colleges located in Union Territory of Puducherry (Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu, Karaikal in Tamil Nadu, Mahé in Kerala and Yanam in Andhra Pradesh), Union Territory of Lakshadweep, Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Pondicherry University is ranked 1001-1200 in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2023[10] and 251–300 in Asia.[11] The QS World University Rankings of 2023 ranked it ranked it 800–1000 in worldwide[8] and 351–400 in Asia.[9] It was ranked 101-151 in India overall by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2022[13] and 68th among universities.[14]

University Library

The university library, named after Ananda Ranga Pillai, was established in September 1986 with one deputy librarian and two assistant librarians. It was moved to the present locale as an independent building in July 1990. The Library is renowned for its disabled friendly modern infrastructure (80,000 sq. ft), fully air-conditioned, WIFI enabled, services for the Visually Challenged among the proactive services with RFID technology and 24/7 remote access to a collection of 4.97 lakhs, of which print is 2.22 and 2.7 lakhs of e-resources (e-books, e-journals, e-databases, e-theses, Academic Online Videos, Video Talks etc.)[17]

SPECTRA has been working to increase queer visibility and awareness in the university campus and beyond. It also provides a safe space for LGBTQIA students to share their experiences and discuss issues faced by the community. SPECTRA was founded on 15 August 2014 and has been conducting events ever since. One of the first Campus Pride events in India was organized successfully in 2018 at Pondicherry University by SPECTRA.[18]

The Earth sciences Club was founded in September 2013. It conducts field trips, screen documentaries, organize debates, quizzes, treasure hunts and so on so forth. It is also involved with organising the annual event "Mrittika" in Department of Earth Sciences.

The students have started the Pondicherry University Quiz Society (PUQS) in June 2012.[19] The inauguration of PUQS was held on 1 August 2011 in Pondicherry University/Lecture Hall Seminar-I. The event was inaugurated by Director of Education of the Pondicherry University, Prof M Ramadass.[20] The first quizmaster of the show was Nikhil Kurien Jacob. The tagline of the Quiz Society is "It's all about Quizzing."

Puduvai Vaani, the community radio station (CRS) established by Pondicherry University with the support of UGC located in National Capital Territory of Delhi, India. It works under FM 107.8 MHz a frequency which is currently extended to a catchments area of 20 km (12 mi) radius from the university campus. The test transmission of Puduvai Vaani – Community Radio Station was started on 23 August 2008. This was yet another initiative by Prof J. A. K. Tareen. It was inaugurated by Shri V. Narayanasamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Planning & Parliamentary Affairs on 27 December 2008 in the presence of Shri P.Chidambaram, Hon’ble Union Home Minister. The full-time transmission started on 1 January 2009.[21]

Official Silver Jubilee logo

SJ campus

The valedictory of the silver jubilee celebrations of Pondicherry University was held on 18 October 2010. Dr C Rangarajan, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, delivered the keynote address. Lieutenant governor of Puducherry, Iqbal Singh, who was the Chief Rector of the university, was present at the function. Professor J. A. K. Tareen, Vice Chancellor presided over the function.[22]